Podcast
Questions and Answers
Which modal verb is used to express past ability?
Which modal verb is used to express past ability?
- Can
- Could (correct)
- Might
- May
What is the most formal way to ask for permission when the subject is 'I'?
What is the most formal way to ask for permission when the subject is 'I'?
- Can I
- May I (correct)
- Could I
- Should I
Which modal verb should not be used when the subject is 'you' for asking permission?
Which modal verb should not be used when the subject is 'you' for asking permission?
- May (correct)
- Can
- Might
- Could
Which modal verb is primarily used to give advice?
Which modal verb is primarily used to give advice?
Which modal expresses possibility but not the ability to do something?
Which modal expresses possibility but not the ability to do something?
Which modal verb is appropriately used to express future ability?
Which modal verb is appropriately used to express future ability?
What is the correct modal verb to use when making a polite request where the subject is 'you'?
What is the correct modal verb to use when making a polite request where the subject is 'you'?
Which pair of modals conveys the same meaning of giving advice?
Which pair of modals conveys the same meaning of giving advice?
When expressing permission, which modal can be used for both 'I' and 'you'?
When expressing permission, which modal can be used for both 'I' and 'you'?
Which modal is specifically used for possibility without indicating ability?
Which modal is specifically used for possibility without indicating ability?
Flashcards
Can (ability)
Can (ability)
Expresses present or future ability.
Could (ability)
Could (ability)
Expresses past ability.
May (permission)
May (permission)
A polite way to ask for permission, typically used when the subject is 'I'.
Could (possibility)
Could (possibility)
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Should (advice)
Should (advice)
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Can (present/future)
Can (present/future)
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Could (past)
Could (past)
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May (possibility)
May (possibility)
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Polite question (you)
Polite question (you)
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Study Notes
Ability
- Can/Could: Express present or future ability (can) or past ability (could)
- Possibility: May/Might/Could have similar meanings, expressing possibility.
- Permission: May/Can grant permission. "May I" and "Could I" are more formal than "Can I."
- Polite Questions (Subject "I"): May/Can/Could are polite ways to ask for permission.
- Polite Questions (Subject "you"): Can/Could/Will/Would are polite ways to ask, May is not used.
Possibility
- May/Might/Could: Express possibility.
Permission
- May/Can: Grant permission.
Polite Questions
- Subject "I": May/Can/Could are polite ways to ask for permission; May/Could are more formal than Can.
- Subject "you": Can/Could/Will/Would, May is not used.
Advice
- Should/Ought to: Similar meanings; Should is used in negatives and questions, not ought to.
Specific Verb Meanings
- Can: Ability, polite question (subject "I" or "you"), permission.
- Could: Ability, polite question (subject "I" or "you"), possibility.
- May: Possibility, permission, polite question (subject "I" only).
- Might: Possibility.
- Should/Ought to: Advice.
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